I have a Alberta November moose hunt scheduled.

We will be covering ground in a truck, ATV, by foot, and maybe some sitting and glassing. I can wear layers, but would like to settle down on boots. The outfitter recommends a light waterproof hiking boot then sorrel pacs to swap into if needed.

I live in rubber boots here in Louisiana and have had no problem caribou hunting in Alaska with them.

Am I crazy to think an insulated rubber boot would be a good compromise. Waterproof, reasonably warm, comfortable (to me).

Does anyone hunt or work in them rather than a Goretex boot or a rubber/leather pac? I have had problems with leakage with leather "waterproof" boots here. Doesn't the leather get and stay wet in and out of snow?

I hate to not listen to those that have been there and done that, but was wanting you guys thoughts on rubber boots versus traditional pacs.

-40 is a lot different than Louisiana that said, there are some quality insulated rubber boots that are warm. I'd go with an insulated hiker if you are going to be walking a lot and a pac boot if sitting. It's doubtful that waterproofness will be a real concern.

I favor insulated rubber boots especially in November. As the month progresses temperatures will get colder. In Alberta in early November there can be rain or wet snow. Each season I hope to be done by early October.

Here's my 2 cents based on 22 years in the Alaskan bush. I think your outfitter is spot on. Insulated hip boots are not going to get it if it is really cold. They also are heavy and not nice to walk in.

Mark

I too spend much time in knee high rubber insulated boots while trapping here in Pa. . where I am sloshing thru ice filled slough checking traps most all of winter. I can an do walk miles a day in them but with that said I wear 1200 gram insulated leather boots for hunting areas without much water an carry a set of boot blankets in my pack when I need to sit and glass. They are lite an easy to slip into and out of but mostly they are WARM.

Get a pair of insulated MUCK boots.

Comfortable to walk in, dry and very warm.

In Idaho when the snow gets deep I like the insulated MUCK boots, Good for horseback and walking, general work outside around the pastures and livestock pens, sale yard etc. they are real popular around here in the winter..In Alaska I see mostly those brown and yellow knee high rubber boots, they must be insulated as they wear them almost year around and in the deep snow...I don't know the make but they are sure popular in the far North..Id like to know the name of them, and give them a try....

insulation is not a bad thing, but by November in the northern part of Alberta, everything is likely to be frozen anyway! Not sure if rubber boots are really necessary.
Check with whoever will be doing the guiding and get their opinion. Personally, I wouldn't even likely think about rubber boots for a northern hunt that time of year.

A quality pair of gators goes a long ways to make most any boot better.

Also take bunch of toe warmers enough for each day. One can use a lighter boot with them.

Metalman, just arrive and ask your outfitter to take you to the nearest Peavy Mart, .....they'll have what's required! The reason I say this is that they outfit the locals with what is required.
Having hunted Alberta in all conditions and temps, I always have a good pair of insulated rubber boots.

I'll also be up late Nov in Alberta for Moose. I'm thinking I'll take my light Lowa hiking boots and another insulated boot with a set of boot blankets for sitting (don't like cold feet and boot blankets are very light). I also think it will be frosted over and frozen but you never know. If I were to take rubber boots, they'd be insulated Mucks.

An insulated rubber boot for warmer weather and Sorrel pacs for cold is very good advice. If it is cold I would take a spare pair of the felt boots (liners) that go in the Sorrel outers. This way you can change the felt liners each day and let the other pair dry out properly if they get sweated up. Makes a big difference in cold weather.

I hunt moose in Nokian Retki isulated boots. nothing better! They are made in Finland, designed by a moose hunting culture. They know what works. Real rubber, height just under the knee, snow strap at top, removable high quality wool felt insulation, sythetic removable insoles, lug grip with an option of steel studs. Fit tight enough to walk all day in, loose enough to not bind of make your feet cold. I've used mine from 10° to -30° with complete satisfaction. took me 25 years to wear out my first pair.

Alberta can be anything from rocks to bottomless muskeg. Nov. might be frozen or not. Difficult decision.

Grizz

quote:

Originally posted by Longwalker:
I hunt moose in Nokian Retki isulated boots. nothing better! They are made in Finland, designed by a moose hunting culture. They know what works. Real rubber, height just under the knee, snow strap at top, removable high quality wool felt insulation, sythetic removable insoles, lug grip with an option of steel studs. Fit tight enough to walk all day in, loose enough to not bind of make your feet cold. I've used mine from 10° to -30° with complete satisfaction. took me 25 years to wear out my first pair.

They have a felt liner in them right? They are very good boots but depending on the terrain may not supply the support needed. Really depends if he's hunting Mountains, muskeg or prairie but for anywhere that's not to steep they'd be a good choice for sure!

They have a felt liner in them right? They are very good boots but depending on the terrain may not supply the support needed. Really depends if he's hunting Mountains, muskeg or prairie but for anywhere that's not to steep they'd be a good choice for sure![/QUOTE]

Who would know better than the guide ??? Listen to him. Not to someone who hunts in another area.

Yes the Nokians have a felt unsulation.


I use my P Orginal water proof polyurethan boots they are much lighter than my Sorel packboots and are good to -25c sitting still. Not good for rocky terrain but ok to walk in snowcovered forest.

http://www.polyver-boots.com/en/activities/hunting/

Muck boots or Nokias would work too.

Ive noticed many of Alaskans are on the water a lot and they all wear rubber boots every day of the winter. The are all brown rubber with yellow strip on top..they must be the best as they run their traplines in them at -30 or 40..

Id like to know what brand they are, Idaho can be a cold as anyplace in the world it seems to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Ive noticed many of Alaskans are on the water a lot and they all wear rubber boots every day of the winter. The are all brown rubber with yellow strip on top..they must be the best as they run their traplines in them at -30 or 40..

Id like to know what brand they are, Idaho can be a cold as anyplace in the world it seems to me.

Xtra-Tuff's

Extra Tuffs used to be made in the states. I think they moved production to China. Still a great boot with nice ankle support. I wear the every day in the winter, working outside. They are thin but surprisingly warm. Also worn on Dedliest catch!

after a few winters in north Dakota, Baffins have become my absolute go to for cold weather foot wear.
they are made in Canada so should be pretty easy to find up there.

Muck boots are fine in someplace like Colorado, but when things start heading towards minus 30-40 the Baffins are gonna be warm and comfortable enough for 14-15 hour 'out in it' days.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
after a few winters in north Dakota, Baffins have become my absolute go to for cold weather foot wear.
they are made in Canada so should be pretty easy to find up there.

Muck boots are fine in someplace like Colorado, but when things start heading towards minus 30-40 the Baffins are gonna be warm and comfortable enough for 14-15 hour 'out in it' days.

I wore a pair of Baffin Boots exactly One time.
At -30 or so the soles became frozen so hard they were like ice skates on the well pad. Throw in a little Kuparuk wind & spent more time on my butt in a 30' walk / crawl to the truck

My feet get colder horseback than any other way. I think I solved the problem with Kenatrac cowboy style rubber bottom leather topped..I like the more pointy toe that fits a stirrup better and the felt liners are thicker, and they come with a pair of spurs and a spur holder to keep them down on the heel..I rope in them in our unheated barns at around 0 degrees,Barns are always colder than outside.and the are comfortable to walk in..They seem to be working, downside is damn they are expensive..I also use oversize stirrups and toe fenders, and that really helps..I have not been in the high country hunting in them yet, but I think they would do well..My grandson bought a pair, he will find out for sure, he lives up there.

Ray, the boots your asking about are extra tuff and you can buy them either insulated or uninsulated. What we all wore when I lived in Alaska.